Billy Hewes

William Gardner "Billy" Hewes (27 October 1961-) was a member of the Mississippi Senate from the 49th district (R) from January 1992 to January 2012, preceding Sean Tindell, and Mayor of Gulfport from July 2013, succeeding George Scholegel.

Biography
William Gardner Hewes was born in New Iberia, Louisiana on 27 October 1961 to a family with a long history of civic involvement; he was related to several politicians from Gulfport, Mississippi. In January 1992, as a Republican Party member, Hewes was elected to the Mississippi Senate for the 49th district, and he lobbied for business-friendly legislation. In 2011, he lost the primary elections for Lieutenant-Governor of Mississippi to Tate Reeves, but he was elected Mayor of Gulfport in 2013. His town was one of many Gulf Coast towns to be affected by Hurricane Nate in October 2017.